There’s a fascinating temple in Thailand known as Wat Samphran, but it’s more commonly referred to as the Dragon Temple because of its striking design. The most distinctive feature is the 17-story tall, rose-colored cylindrical building that has a giant green and red dragon sculpture coiling around its entire height.

The exact origins of the temple are a bit obscure, but it’s believed construction began around 1978 and was inspired by a vision received during a meditation session. The dragon itself is symbolic and represents the path of humans on their journey from struggles to enlightenment. Interestingly, the dragon’s body is hollow and visitors can climb parts of it through a winding staircase.

Wat Samphran isn’t just about the dragon though. The grounds contain other statues and shrines, including a large Buddha statue. Visitors can also find unique features like a giant turtle you can walk inside and pathways decorated with hand and foot imprints. While it’s not super close to Bangkok, Wat Samphran is definitely worth a visit for anyone interested in unusual architecture and cultural experiences.